Tag Archives: Love

Defiant Joy – Book Review

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Here are some thoughts I had as I read this excellent book, Defiant Joy by Jennifer Michelle Greenberg.

We enjoy so many blessings in this life. So many… Ephesians 1:3-23 gives us a nearly exhaustive list and these are only an example of the joy that will come when we get to heaven. God said so. It will be so!

We cannot make our own joy. It’s just not possible. We must understand that God gifts us with joy, His joy. I was able to find more than 150 Bible verses about joy. Every one of them connects to God! One in particular stands out to me – The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10

It has become very obvious to me that tears and joy often go together. Have you ever cried in response to joy, to worship, to intense happiness? I would venture to say that all of us have. Legitimate tears are a real sign that God lives in us.

Are you convinced that God really loves us? The conviction of God’s love for His children is absolutely necessary to understanding His joy and how it is given to us. Absolute certainty in His love and joy is where we find total rest.

The evil one, satan, loves to undermine our joy. He is a real expert at this. He does not want us to understand that our faith is the foundation of understanding joy. He will do everything in his power to undermine our faith. That includes waging war against our joy.

When all is said and done, when Jesus returns or we draw our final breath we can know, without question, that God is the foundation and giver of joy.

This book is more than worth your time. It was helpful to me in so many ways. I have a better understanding of so many of the stories in the Word and how they apply to this walk I’ve chosen with Jesus. Do you like books that are full of connections? This one is for you! I highly recommend reading this. I know I’ll be reading it again and again.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free directly from Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR requirements, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Witness

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Do not be silent!

Witness that the LORD is King!

Show your love for Him!

Each Friday, Kaitlin, over at Five Minute Friday, sends a prompt that we can use to write for 5 minutes and then post on the FMF Link-up. I often choose to write a haiku and this one came very easily. I hope you enjoy it. Come join us! Marie

No Fear

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For God has not given us a spirit of fear but one of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Perhaps ‘fear not’ is repeated so often (365 times in the NIV) because we need constant reassurance that God is always near and we can depend on His love! We can lean on His strength and count on His help. He is always near!

Think about His love… Think about His grace…

Abba, Father, show us Your Presence in every part of our lives. Take away any fear, worry, or anxiety and replace it with strength, love, and self-control. Hold us close and give us comfort.

Blessings and grace to you and yours!

Marie

ELOHIM SHOMRI – God Is My Protector

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GOD is striding ahead of you. He walks proudly, with importance in His step, carrying the banner that identifies me as part of His family. He’s covering every second, every nuance of this day. Psalm 139

He’s right there with you.  Not just ahead but in front, back, sides, up and down.  In my mind, my heart, my soul.  He has all of me. He’s covering every second, every nuance of this day. Isaiah 41:10

He won’t let you down.  He keeps all of His promises, faithfully.  He never fails us. Psalm 145:13

Don’t be intimidated.  There are bullies and controllers everywhere, including our inner minds!  Stop listening to them.  Only God is worth consistently listening to! Deuteronomy 13:6

Don’t worry! Just stop letting whatever is bothering you have such control.  God is in control.  He has it all covered. Matthew 19:26

Does Jesus Care?/God Will Take Care Of You – Mark Lowry

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Bible verses from BibleGateway.com Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

God Loves Us

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Have you ever considered that God has fallen in love with you…?

He sends you flowers every spring and snowflakes to blanket the ground in clean, white purity.

He sends you sunshine every morning and a universe of stars each night.

Whenever you want to talk, He listens carefully. He doesn’t interupt.

He chose you before time began. He gave you special gifts. He made you uniquely, you!

God didn’t promise sunshine without rain, days without pain, laughter without sorrow, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, light for the way… (Unknown author)

How He Loves Us!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. (John 3:16 NIV)

Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense.  Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong.  Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. Love never stops loving. It extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 TPT)